time

Hey.

I can imagine from your point of view that I am kind of a slacker. And you are so right. I'm sorry. I do have a hard time getting to update here. I totally admit that.

And I do not claim to be any busier than anyone else, but, holy cow, I have a lot going on. Let me share:

During the school year, I teach an early morning (meaning 6am) religion class to high school students every school day. It's a lot, but I really love it. (Boy do I have an even greater respect and admiration for full time teachers - they do so much!) And during the summer, that responsibility does not go away - I am reading the next book of study (Old Testament) every day, trying to finish it before school starts. Plus, training classes and reading materials, classroom prep, etc is happening, too. I had no idea how much I would do over the summer for a school year calling. Totally an awesome responsibility.

I am so excited for another project that will be happen in just a few weeks - Young Women's camp. (This is a camp for young women age 12-17 that is a super fun and spiritual 5 days. And very little sleeping happens.) I have been the camp director for the last two years and it is so, so great to serve in this way. I learned so much the first year and am happy to be a part of things again this year. I have been working with three awesome assistants since last winter - lots of delegating going on, but still a bunch of work to do and has been a giant priority since June, when daily Seminary teaching ended :). Camp will be finished up at the end of July - I am looking forward to the fun week.

Lauren, David and Max moved back to Michigan the beginning of June. Yay! - We are thrilled they live just about 45 minutes away. Lauren is not working since they are having a baby girl mid-August, so we have time to visit and play. Love it.

Alex, Lawson and their two cutie boys moved to Utah at the end of June. Not fun. I knew we would miss them so much, so we spent lots of extra time with them while they still lived in Michigan. And I was right - Saying goodbye was hard. I am excited for them for their next adventure - Hopefully they will feel at home there soon and flourish.

And, Colin is going to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a missionary in Salt Lake City and needs to be there August 12. We are so dang excited for him! And we are trying to help him get everything ready to go, which is kind of tricky since he is still living in East Lansing until July 25. And remember, I will be gone from home the last week of July? Ugh.

So, not a lot of projects going on for the small house. but lots of living and loving is, that's for sure. I love that our home is where we work and serve and plan and create and dream. Where sometimes we say "welcome back" and other times "we are going to miss you so much". And where we get ready for new adventures. Our home, like your home, is where it's at - Big or small, just how you want it or a mess of home improvement projects, owned or rented - there is nothing quite like the place we call home.

with sweet baby Daxx 

Um, here I am

Oh. My. Goodness.

Really, I am that blogger.

I have about a million things going on (like everyone), but the thing that falls to the bottom of the list is my little blog.

I have nothing to say, except dang.

As I bounce around the internet, I am loving all the Christmas posts on decorating, treats, gift ideas, ways to celebrate, yummy foods, advent calendars and so much more. 

I do not have that kind of post today. And I may not have that kind of post at all this Christmas.

Dang again.

If you needed to know that you are not the only one who does not have it all together at Christmas time (or anytime, really) trust me when I tell you I am all over not having it all together. 

But I have gotten really good at 'enough'. Enough really is enough.

 How cute are these cookies? 

They represent several fun hours goofing around with my daughter and grandson. We giggled and made some terrific memories. We ate way too much sugar and I even tried to feel bad about it, but I didn't.

I really do not like the idea of stressing out over perfection. I am so happy with enough, especially when enough comes with a great experience.

We named the yellow ginger bread girl "Macaroni and Cheese Girl" and the friend on the right "Ugly Fred" (even though I think he is super cute with his green jimmie pants).

Have a Merry Week Before Christmas.

What We've Been Up To

Holy cow - It's been a while!

And do you know why?

Because we have not done anything.

Sometimes it works out like that. Let me explain.

About three months ago, our daughter Alex, who has lived in Idaho for the last six years, told us they were thinking about moving to Michigan. I immediately did not believe her. Ever since her wedding to Lawson, we were under no illusions to ever think they would live anywhere east of the Mississippi. Lawson is from Utah, and like so many who have grown up in mountain regions, felt such a deep connection to those mountains, that he never wanted to leave them. Alex supported that and since their wedding, we have visited them or they have visited us twice a year. Oh, and regular Skype sessions. Not ideal, but it was the reality. And in those years, never a word about anything different than living near the mountains. (There were a few times they talked about relocating for school or work, but those conversations ended in denial for me - They were talking about California or Oregon - Even farther away!)

So when Alex said they were serious, I did not believe her. When she looked into transferring their jobs - they both work for Target - I did not believe her. When they ended their lease on their apartment, I did not believe her.

I really, really did not want to get my hopes up. I knew for so long that this was not an option that I was cautious. 

And then there was a conversation that went something like this:

Me: I can't believe you are really coming. 

 Alex: Mom, we are coming. We have jobs in Michigan. We have no place to live here. We need to live there.

Me: Really?

Alex: Really.

Me: Are you sure?

Alex: We are sure.

Me: Really sure?

Alex: Really sure.

Me: Well okay then!

And Hero and I hopped on a plane to Salt Lake City, then hopped in a shuttle bus up to Idaho Falls, then hopped in a 16 foot Budget rental truck and drove that truck from Idaho, through Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana and finally into Michigan.

And since we arrived home safely and all in one piece (Yay!) on October 25, we have not gotten a single thing done on our small house.

Because when you have a sweet little family living in your basement while they find their own small house, it is pretty much impossible to get anything done.

Not that I am complaining. It has been terrific having them here in Michigan! We could not be happier.

Even though we are not getting much done. Because what is the point of having a great little home if you don't pause to enjoy it?